Lyrica

What is LYRICA used for?

LYRICA is used in adults to treat pain caused by nerve damage due to:

• Diabetes
• Shingles
• Spinal cord injury

LYRICA is also used to help relieve pain associated with fibromyalgia (widespread pain).

What does LYRICA do?

LYRICA works by decreasing the number of nerve signals in your body. This helps to calm down oversensitive nerve cells, which helps to relieve pain.

Learn More: Taking this medication >

What should I know about taking LYRICA?

Before you use LYRICA, tell your doctor or pharmacist if:

• You have any kidney problems
• Have any breathing problems or respiratory disease
• You are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or think you might be pregnant
• You are breastfeeding. LYRICA passes into breast milk and it is not known if it can harm your baby. You and your healthcare provider should discuss whether you should take LYRICA or breast-feed, but you should not do both
• You have ever had an allergic reaction to any other drug
• You have a history of heart disease or heart failure
• You have a history of lower gastrointestinal problems (such as constipation or blocked or paralysed bowel), or you are taking medication(s) that may cause constipation
• Have current or a history of addiction or substance abuse, misuse, physical dependence or withdrawal

While you are taking LYRICA, don't start any new medicines, including natural or herbal medicines, without talking to your doctor first. Your doctor or pharmacist will know which medicines are safe for you to take together.

The following may interact with LYRICA:

• Alcohol
• Opioid medicines
• Benzodiazepines
• Medications used to treat diabetes, such as rosiglitazone, pioglitazone

You may have a higher chance of weight gain or swelling if you take the antidiabetic pills Avandia (rosiglitazone) or Actos (pioglitazone) with LYRICA.

Side effects may include:

• Dizziness
• Sleepiness
• Headache
• Nausea
• Dry mouth
• Increased cough
• Weight gain
• Trouble concentrating
• Forgetfulness
• Lack of energy
• Muscle weakness
• Constipation; talk with your healthcare professional about ways to prevent constipation when you start using LYRICA

These are some of the side effects you might experience when taking LYRICA. If you experience any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.

How do I take LYRICA?

• Take LYRICA as your healthcare professional has told you to.
• Do NOT stop taking LYRICA abruptly or you may experience unwanted side effects. If you have concerns with your treatment, talk to your healthcare professional first.
• You can take LYRICA with or without food.

Learn More: Safety information >

What are the warnings and precautions I should know about LYRICA?

Serious Warnings and Precautions:

• Taking LYRICA with opioid medicines, benzodiazepines, alcohol, or other central nervous system depressants (including street drugs) can cause severe drowsiness, decreased awareness, breathing problems, coma, and death.

Other warnings you should know about:

• Pregnancy: LYRICA should not be taken during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking LYRICA, tell your healthcare professional right away. If you are taking LYRICA and are of childbearing age, you must use an effective method of birth control. If you take LYRICA during your first trimester of pregnancy, it can cause major birth defects in your unborn child.


• Pregnancy Registry: If you become pregnant while taking LYRICA, talk to your healthcare professional about registering with the North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry. You can enroll in this registry by calling 1-888-233-2334. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the safety of anticonvulsant medicines during pregnancy. Information on the registry can also be found at the website http://www.aedpregnancyregistry.org/.


• Eye Problems: If you experience any changes in your vision while taking LYRICA, tell your healthcare professional right away. If you already have eye problems, your healthcare professional may recommend that you have more frequent eye exams.


• Stopping Your Medication: Do NOT stop taking LYRICA without discussing it with your healthcare professional first. Stopping your treatment abruptly may cause you to experience unwanted side effects including insomnia, nausea, headache, anxiety, excessive sweating and diarrhea. Convulsions have occurred in non-epileptic patients. Stopping your treatment must be a gradual process that you discuss with your healthcare professional. If you have any concerns with your treatment, talk to your healthcare professional.


• Dependence/Tolerance: Even when LYRICA has been taken exactly as directed, there have been some cases of abuse, misuse, addiction, physical dependence and withdrawal. Your healthcare professional will monitor you while you are taking LYRICA. If you feel like you are craving LYRICA, or not using it as directed, talk to a healthcare professional right away.


• Driving and Using Machines: LYRICA may cause you to feel dizzy or sleepy. Wait until you know how LYRICA affects you before performing tasks that require special attention.

Please consult the Consumer Information leaflet contained in your product package for complete information.

What other side effects can LYRICA cause?

Side effects may include:

• Dizziness
• Sleepiness
• Headache
• Nausea
• Dry mouth
• Increased cough
• Weight gain
• Trouble concentrating
• Forgetfulness
• Lack of energy
• Muscle weakness
• Constipation; talk with your healthcare professional about ways to prevent constipation when you start using LYRICA

This is not a complete list of side effects. If you have any unexpected effects while taking LYRICA, contact your doctor or pharmacist.